Off the Hook (Xscape album)

Off the Hook is the second studio album by American R&B group Xscape. It was released on July 11, 1995, through So So Def Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment.[1] The album was produced by Jermaine Dupri, Organized Noize, and Daryl Simmons and features a guest appearance by MC Lyte. Off the Hook was preceded by the release of four singles — "Feels So Good", "Who Can I Run To" and "Can't Hang/Do You Want To".

Off the Hook
Studio album by
Xscape
ReleasedJuly 11, 1995
Length44:37
Label
Producer
Xscape chronology
Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha
(1993)		 Off the Hook
(1995)		 Traces of My Lipstick
(1998)
Singles from Off The Hook
  1. "Feels So Good"
    Released: June 6, 1995
  2. "Who Can I Run To"
    Released: October 3, 1995
  3. "Do You Want To/Can't Hang"
    Released: February 2, 1996

The album debuted at number twenty-three on the US Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[2][3] It was eventually certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 16, 1995[4] and won the 1996 Soul Train Music Award for R&B/Soul Album of the Year – Group, Band or Duo.

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[5]
Entertainment WeeklyC+[6]
The Source(favorable)[7]
Vibe(positive)[7]

In his review for Allmusic, senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine called the album "an improvement on their first record, demonstrating gains both in terms of music and lyrics [...] While they are still sexual on their second album, Off the Hook, it doesn't overwhelm the music as it did on their debut. Recording with producers Dupri, Daryl Simmons, and Organized Noize on various tracks, the group has developed into impressive musicians, with a thorough grasp of slow, seductive soul and slick funk. Off the Hook may run a little long – the 12 songs clock in at well over an hour – but the record proves that Xscape has staying power."[5]

Track listing
Off the Hook — Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Do Your Thang"Isaac HayesJermaine Dupri1:51
2."Feels So Good"
  • Dupri
  • Carl So-Lowe
  • Dupri
  • So-Lowe[a]
3:32
3."Hard to Say Goodbye"
Dupri3:45
4."Can't Hang" (featuring MC Lyte)
Dupri3:46
5."Who Can I Run To"
  • Charles Simmons
  • Frank Alstin, Jr.
  • Richard Roebuck
Dupri3:37
6."Hip Hop Barber Shop Request Line"
  • Eddie Weathers
  • Dupri
  • Clifford Smith
  • Robert Riggs
Dupri0:49
7."Do You Want to"Daryl SimmonsSimmons5:42
8."What Can I Do"
Dupri3:05
9."Do Like Lovers Do"
  • Xscape
  • Dupri
  • Lowe
  • Dupri
  • So-Lowe[a]
3:46
10."Work Me Slow"Simmons
  • Simmons
  • Dupri[a]
4:12
11."Love's a Funny Thing"Kevin Kendricks
  • Dupri
  • So-Lowe[a]
5:27
12."Keep It on the Real"
Organized Noize4:23

Notes

  • ^a denotes co-producer

Credits and personnel

Musicians
  • Preston Crump, LaMarquis "Mark" Jefferson, Zachary Scott – bass
  • Randy Hutchinson – drums
  • Tommy Martin – guitar
  • Bruno Speight – guitar
  • Delores Major – violin
  • Lomax Spaulding – guitar
  • Ralph Stacy – bass

Production
  • Executive producers: Jermaine Dupri, Michael Mauldin,
  • Producers: Jermaine Dupri, Carl-So-Lowe, Organized Noize, Daryl Simmons
  • Vocal assistance: Organized Noize, Xscape
  • Engineers: Thom "TK" Kidd, Phil Tan, Bernasky Wall
  • Assistant engineers: John Frye, Thomas Rickert
  • Mixing: Mick Guzauski, Daryl Simmons, Phil Tan
  • Mixing assistance: John Frye, Kevin Lively, Alex Lowe, Thomas Rickert
  • Programming: Felipe Elgueta, John "J.R." Robinson, Glen Woodward

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Off the Hook by Xscape on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  2. "Xscape Off the Hook Chart History Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  3. "Xscape Off the Hook Chart History Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  4. "American album certifications – Xscape". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 28, 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
  5. Allmusic review
  6. Entertainment Weekly review
  7. Album reviews at CD Universe
  8. "Chart Log UK: 1994–2010: Johnny X – Xzibit". Zobbel.de. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  9. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  10. "Xscape Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  11. "Xscape Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  12. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1995". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  13. "Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Year-End 1995". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  14. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  15. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  16. "American album certifications – Xscape – Off the Hook". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
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